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NEW DELHI: UPA can easily clear the voting test on its decision to allow FDI in retail , but is keen to avoid a contest in order to escape criticism from the very same allies who will help it best the opposition.

The government's edge in the numbers game was evident at the all-party meeting called by Kamal Nath on Monday to discuss a resolution of the standoff in Parliament. UPA ally DMK and outside supporters SP and BSP made it plain again that they won't ditch the government.

However, the government was not spoiling for a vote yet because of the recognition that the satisfaction of yet another triumph over the opposition may be undercut by a display of the sharp rift in UPA over a measure that the government has showcased as proof of its just-found resolve to rev up reforms.

Although SP, BSP and DMK are certain not to side with the opposition, they may use rhetoric to counter the perception of dilution of their opposition: a situation government wants to dodge.

But BJP, Left And Allies Dig In Heels Over Demand The all-party meet saw finance minister P Chidambaram appealing to the opposition to drop their demand for a vote on the retail FDI issue on the ground that the perception of division over reforms would interfere with his objective to mobilize $70 billion through the triad of FDI, FII and ECB.

SP, BSP and DMK, which will help the government sail through the contest on FDI, have been critical of the decision. The all-party meeting saw DMK's T R Baalu regretting that "the issue could have been handled better".

A meeting of UPA partners has been called on Tuesday to formulate a common stand on the tussle which ensured that the two Houses conducted no business on Monday either.

The BJP, the Left and allies stuck to their guns that discussion on FDI in multi-brand retail be followed by voting, a demand the government is loath to accept. They were supported by JD(U), Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, BJD, AIADMK and TDP.

Trinamool leader Sudip Bandopadhyaya's comment that the party was not really bothered about the rule under which the debate may happen led to some speculation that Mamata Banerjee, whose no-confidence motion failed to find support from either NDA or the Left, may retaliate by staying neutral.

However, TMC's chief whip in Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien , one of the attendees, disputed the interpretation which had led to some celebration in Congress circles.

"The speculation is laughable, considering that we left the government on the issue of FDI. Sudip merely wanted to say that Trinamool was focused on the government's ouster, and would not like to join the quibble over rules," he said. Lalu Prasad's RJD stayed firmly with the government, saying the BJP should he hauled up for advocating 100% FDI during the Vajpayee government. On the other side, BJP's Sushma Swaraj was insistent on a discussion under a voting clause.

Asked if BJP would not allow Parliament to function, she replied, "No compromise at all... When I said no compromise , it means something."

Be civilized, Sharma tells TMC MP after spat

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and commerce minister Anand Sharma on Monday had a verbal duel inside Lok Sabha, which turned ugly, with the former turning abusive . The incident occurred when Banerjee, part of the Trinamool MPs' team that was raising slogans in the well on the FDI issue, was returning to his seat soon after the House was adjourned for the day shortly after noon.

Sharma, who was in the aisle walking towards his seat, said something to the Trinamool MPs that infuriated Banerjee. He and Sharma had heated exchanges for about two minutes which was inaudible thanks to the din, but later Sharma was heard telling the TMC MP to "be civilized" and Banerjee shouted back in an abusive manner.

Banerjee told Sharma that "after two years when you are not a minister, nobody will even look at you... what do you think of yourself... who are you to tell us what we should do."

Sharma retorted, "Whether I understand the country or not, you ascertain that from your leader Mamata Banerjee who has worked with me as a colleague. She would know." Other leaders and some ministers then intervened and asked both of them to be seated.

"I don't want to join issues with him. It is unfortunate. He was offensive and less than civilized," Sharma told reporters later, adding that he did not want to take the issue any further.